Live traffic data available in Google Maps API

Google has opened its Maps API to allow Enterprise customers access to live traffic data.

The Google Maps feature shows regularly updated travel times for popular routes, allowing users to gather how long it will take to reach their destination when travelling by bike, car, public transport or on foot. Now, developers and businesses can include the feature on third party maps, a service that has been restricted since March 2012.

In order to include the live traffic service in current maps, a single JavaScript code change needs to be made to existing directions requests.

More than a map

Earlier this week, Google also announced that 800,000 sites and apps are currently using Google Maps API. To celebrate the milestone, the search engine giant set up MoreThanAMap.com which looks at how developers are making use of the feature.

Through enabling access to live traffic data, Google could be looking to further increase the number of businesses using its API. Previously, Google has placed such tight restrictions on its Maps feature that companies such as Foursquare chose to replace the service with an alternative.

Adrian Mursec, senior developer at theEword, said: "By giving Enterprise customers access to live traffic data and publicising its 800,000 API user milestone, Google could be attempting to attract people to its feature at a time when the Apple is having issues with its iOS 6 maps."